Chapter One
I had tried all night to stay under the radar. I didn’t want to be seen, especially by him. He was terrifying to a small girl like me. I was sure with a flick of his wrist he could kill me along with anyone else. I did my best to hide in the corner of the bar, behind my friends and a group of large drunk men. But of course, the second I looked up his dark eyes caught mine, even though he was on the stage yards away from me, I could feel his gaze heavy on me as if he was in front of me.
I couldn’t escape him. No matter how hard I tried he always appeared, bringing painful memories of the past back to the surface. Memories I had tried to push away for years.
I moved to the door out, still locked on his gaze, but he shook his head once, mouthing “Stay". I knew that if I disobeyed I would surely be in trouble, so I gulped and sat at the bar again, my cheeks heating up wildly. “Good girl," he mouthed again, turning his attention back to his performance.
Damn you Liam Payne.
Couldn't he just leave me alone? Why was he so dang controlling? And most of all, why did I let him control me? I wasn't some puppet. I scowled onto the stage, where he was singing some song I'd never heard before. I pulled out my phone, checking the time. Almost midnight.
My friends were dancing in the mosh pit in front of the stage, and I refused to go near there. The last thing I needed was more Liam contact. I sent my friends a message, telling them I would see them back at the apartment.
I picked up my purse and downed a glass of alcohol the bartender had got me. I thanked him and set out a bill under the glass. I watched as Liam turned his attention to someone far away from me, taking the chance to slip out of the bar.
It was cool and quiet outside, much better than inside the hot and muggy and loud. Plus I didn't have Liam's dark eyes following my every move. Ugh. He annoyed me so much. The music escaping from the bar stopped suddenly and I knew exactly what that meant. I wasn't planning on going far, to be honest. I mostly just needed to get out of there.
I leaned against the brick wall outside, preparing myself for whatever Liam was going to throw at me. The door I came out of flew open and Liam looked around frantically, his eyes falling on me before smiling. "Hey, babe," he greeted. "I thought I told you to stay inside."
"Y-you did," I replied, cursing myself for my stutter. I thought I'd gotten over that.
He chuckled. "Why didn't you stay, sweetheart?"
I grimaced. I hated those silly pet names almost as much as my stutter. "Um... I-Uh..." I shook my head, trying to bring myself back to normal. "I'm not a dog. I don't have to listen to you," I said, trying to be strong.
Liam smirked. "You are more like a kitten, aren't you?"
"Excuse me?"
"All cute and innocent and small... Nearly defenseless." His finger traced up and down my arm slowly.
I glared at him, swatting his arm down. "I am not defenseless!" I objected.
He laughed, leaning down and kissing my cheek. I squeaked in surprise but didn't move. "Come inside with me," he directed.
I nearly nodded, completely under the spell of his churning brown eyes. I shook my head again. "No. I'm going home."
A scowl fell onto his features. "Sweetie, go inside."
"I-I'm not doing anything you say."
Liam bent down again, putting a hand by my head to hold himself up as he pressed his lips to my ear. "Go inside, sit down on the stool to the left of the stage and stay there until I say otherwise," he ordered menacingly, pressing a kiss to the skin below my earlobe. His hand came up and unclenched my fingers, which had came up to clamp around a fistful of his shirt in fear.
I hesitated, but in the end followed his directions, hanging my head in submission. "Good girl," he whispered from behind me, walking me back into the crowded bar.
The eyes in the room moved to us as we stepped in, a few girls shooting me ugly glares. I saw the stool and picked up my pace to get away from Liam, but he caught my hand and pulled me against him. "And I'll be taking you home. Enjoy the show, kitten."
"Please stop calling me that," I said quietly.
He smirked and kissed my cheek again. "See you soon."
I scuttled off to my seat, gulping thickly. I sat down, fuming with myself. Stop letting him control you! You aren't something that can be controlled.
